One of my favorite grays Kendall Charcoal HC 166

Last September, I embarked on something new.  A colour course taught by Colour Queen Maria Killam.

From Left to Right; Jennifer Duchene, Natalie Peterson, Mary Jo Gallagher, Jil McDonald, Maria Killam, Christina Joe, Gloria Hansen, Laurie Shelsby and Terreeia Rauffman.

  She is the author of the blog Colour me happy ( doesn't the name just make you smile?).  Her 3 day course covered every single thing you need to know about colour.  Maria took us through mixing the physical paint - to really understand the concepts of how pigments can  appear to change, to creating colour flow and how to select the correct paint colour.  My favourite part of the course was where she helped us determine the undertones of colour - such an integral part of interior design.

Another benefit is that after taking Maria's course, is that you can belong to a secret group on Facebook.
 (isn't anything secret cool?)

  Really this group focuses on supporting each other - most of us have a passion for colour.  It's a safe place to ask questions or just bounce ideas off each other.  Here's a secret I can share, from what I understand, Maria might be hosting colour webinars later this year! Stay tuned for more info. about that.

Since most designers find we are specifying so many variations of gray lately, Maria was asking us which grays we like.  Well, one of my favourite grays is Benjamin Moore's Kendall Charcoal HC- 166.

Benjamin Moores Kendall Charcoal HC-166

It is a deep, rich charcoal which I adore with a crisp, clean white.  In searching online to find a photo that shows just how beautiful it looks, I found this beautiful bedroom by Jennifer Holmes.  This is a blog you simply must check out, she is talented beyond words.

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  Why this colour gray works is, of course, the attention to details, but primarily the stunning, crisp white linens and pillows, and... don't cha just love the mirrored side tables?  Jennifer even gives a tutorial on how to make the cute ruffled lampshades shown below.

Now what do you think about the dark charcoal with pops of yellow and white?  I say 'yummy'.

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Yes, Kendall Charcoal is a gutsy colour to place on a wall, but when well co-ordinated with white, yellow or even pink.  I think it's a colour you can have fun with, and isn't having fun what it's all about?  Come on, I dare you, try this luscious dark charcoal - you're gonna love it.